Man wounded by police now charged with endangering officer

SHIVELY, Ky. (AP) – Charges have now been filed against a Kentucky man who was shot and wounded by a Shively police officer last week.

The Courier Journal reports 26-year-old Terry L. Sams was charged Thursday with offenses including wanton endangerment of a police officer. Police say officers responding last week to a report of an erratic person causing alarm found Sams wandering through neighborhood backyards.

Chief Kevin Higdon says Sams tried to flee, refusing orders to stop and show his hands. Released body camera video shows Sams then reveals a gun and points it at Officer Steve Becker, who shoots Sams several times.

An arrest report says Sams’ gun was loaded and officers found what seemed to be a clear pipe for smoking illegal drugs near him. Becker is on administrative leave.